Sir John instructs a female agent Tanya Acocella to discourage Gaddis from pursuing the case.

Gaddis finds a video of Platov's defection attempt in Katya Levette's files, and makes several copies.

A strongly positive review in The Washington Post described it as "a sophisticated thriller that takes its spies at face value and focuses on a conventional hero, a likable, stubborn and rather naive man, who is trying to survive in a world of duplicity and danger.

"[1] The Washington Post named it one of their notable books of the year for 2011, comparing it to Alan Furst and John le Carré.

"[3] Kirkus Reviews described it as "characterized by a gripping sense of realism", displaying "a vast knowledge of spycraft and Cold War history".